At least five senior FBI leaders who were promoted by former Director Christopher Wray have been notified they are being demoted or reassigned, according to sources briefed on the matter, extending a purge that began last week at the Justice Department across the street from the FBI headquarters.

Paul Abbate, who as the FBI's longtime deputy director had been expected to replace Director Christopher Wray on an acting basis, is retiring from the bureau, according to an email he sent to senior executives and obtained by The Associated Press on Monday.

The ultimatum was unusual for the FBI and suggested that President Donald Trump is purging leadership at an agency he has harshly criticized.

At least six senior FBI leaders have been ordered to retire, resign or be fired by Monday, according to sources briefed on the matter, extending a purge that began last week at the Justice Department across the street from the FBI headquarters.

These senior officials at FBI headquarters were responsible for overseeing top priorities for the bureau, including national security, criminal and cyber issues, the sources said.